Several homes and businesses in Talihina, Okla., in LeFlore County have been evacuated after a large gas line broke Thursday afternoon, according to Emergency Management Director Michael Davidson.
Traffic is being diverted from Highway 1 and Highway 63 while a CenterPoint Energy crew works to repair the line. Drivers are encouraged to take county roads.
The workers started repairs around 3:30 p.m. and estimated it would take about four hours to get the leak shut off, Davidson said.
“The situation shouldn’t pose a threat to people as long as they stay out of the area,” Davidson said.
Emergency crews have set up an evacuation radius spanning half a mile around the break which is believed to be affecting only commercial zones, according to a report from the Poteau Daily News.
Contractors working to relocate utilities for work on Highway 63 ruptured a six inch high pressure gas line, Davidson said.
